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Major Changes To Ei: Unacceptable For Estrie

SHERBROOKE, June 1st, 2012 — New Democrat MPs Pierre-Luc Dusseault (Sherbrooke), Jean Rousseau (Compton–Stanstead), Pierre Jacob (Brome-Missisquoi), as well as the Mouvement des chômeurs et chômeuses de l’Estrie and the Fédération des travailleurs du Québec (FTQ), slammed radical changes to the EI program by the Conservative government, this morning.

The Conservatives recently announced that some unemployed will now have to accept any job located less than an hour from their home, even if the wages offered are less than 30% of their previous job, or else their benefits will be cancelled.

“There’s no reason for this kind of discrimination against Canada’s unemployed,” said Dusseault. “This program must remain accessible to those who need it. Seasonal workers, numerous in Quebec and Estrie, will be particularly disadvantaged because they don’t have control over the length of their employment.”

MP Pierre Jacob, whose riding’s economy depends on tourism, anticipates serious repercussions on seasonal workers. “These new changes to EI will penalize seasonal workers to the detriment of tourism, which is an important economic sector and corresponds to the socio-economic reality of our rural communities,” he said.

The Mouvement des chômeurs et chômeuses de l’Estrie also condemns the Conservatives’ disgraceful gesture. “This fear campaign says a lot about the arrogance of the current government,” said Denis Poudrier. “Already, many workers who lost their jobs aren’t eligible for EI. These changes will make it even more complicated for job seekers.”

Similar concerns from the Fédération des travailleurs du Québec (FTQ). “The employment insurance fund is paid for by workers and employers. The government should keep its nose out of it. The Conservatives are acting like it’s their money, like the Liberals did in the past. We must fight these new measures that penalize workers,” concluded Marc Bellemare.